Belper boss Palmer keeping Matlock target Garnett focused on football

Belper Town hot shot Evan Garnett bagged a hat-trick as the Nailer ran out 3-1 winners at Chasetown.

Garnett, subject of interest from Derbyshire neighbours Matlock Town of the Evo-Stik Premier, has taken his tally for the season to nine.

And, while the youngster is showing early signs of a promising career ahead of him, Belper boss Charlie Palmer is keen to keep him focused.

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Palmer said: “With Evan, it is about making him realise the talent he has and I am trying to keep him here until the end of the season, then I will sit down and talk to him.

“He is hearing whispers, he is a young lad. He will be influenced by some of the whispers but I am keeping him focused on playing football for Belper Town.

“Evan has been really important since I came to this football club. I know numerous clubs have been interested in him.

“He, as a young lad, has got to recognise he just needs to keep playing his football and keep scoring goals and opportunities will come about.”

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New signing Aaron Cole came straight into the side on Saturday to make his debut and Palmer has been impressed with recent performances of his defensive players.

“I was impressed with Coley (Aaron Cole) and also Dominic (Allen) on the other side,” said Palmer. “All of a sudden I have got full-backs who want to defend and have got an understanding of how to defend.

“It gives Watty (Phil Watt) and Rossy (Ross Parker) license to do what they do as centre-halves knowing they have got players who are willing to cover them. We are looking a lot more solid at the back.

“It is still a working progress but we are heading in the right direction.”

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And added: “I do believe the players are buying into what I am preaching to them, you have got to consider we weathered a storm in the first 15/20 minutes, which we did and looked solid.

“But then we caused them problems, the three lads up front Steady (Alex Steadman), Stevo (Rob Stevenson) and Evan (Garnett) caused their defence no end of problems.”